Prescribed burns planned for National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park will be conducting a series of prescribed burns within the park boundaries through April 15, 2024.
Locations to be burned are as follows:
Battlefield burn unit – 175-acre area located primarily behind the visitor center. The northern boundary of this unit is Colonial Road which branches south off onto the Yorkville Shelbyville Road. The battlefield trail system north from the visitor center serves as part of the Eastern Boundary. N.C. 216 (Main Park Drive) comprises the remainder of the eastern, southern and western boundaries.
Water Treatment Plant burn unit – 111-acre area that is located north of the main park drive and adjacent to the Battlefield area. The unit is bound by the headwaters of Long Branch to the north as well as a portion of Clarks Creek Trail.
Long Branch burn unit – 82-acre area that is located north of the main park drive and adjoins the Water Treatment Plant unit. The unit is bound by the headwaters of Long Branch to the north as well as a portion of Clarks Creek Trail.
Swale burn unit – 186-acre area which is bordered to the west by Yorkville/Shelbyville Road, to the east by the Midway burn unit, and to the south by Clarks Creek, the Clarks Creek Trail, and the Battlefield burn unit.
Midway burn unit – 196-acre area located near the park’s northeast boundary. The unit is bound to the south by the Clarks Creek and the Clarks Creek Trail, and to the west by the Swale burn unit.
Wildland fire crews are working to prepare these units for safe and effective prescribed burns, which are conducted in accordance with the approved fire management plan and as weather conditions allow throughout the spring season. Surrounding communities may expect minimal smoke and visibility impacts during the burns. Some access to trails and grounds within the burn areas may be temporarily restricted during burn activities for visitor and wildland fire crew safety.
The timing of the prescribed burn implementation is dependent upon a variety of conditions as burns are conducted within specific parameters that take into account temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed, and wind direction. The safety of firefighters and the public is the number one priority of all NPS wildland fire management activities. Informational updates and alerts regarding prescribed burn activities in the park will be posted on the park website and social media.
Fire is an essential and natural process that has shaped the landscape of Kings Mountain National Military Park for thousands of years. Prescribed burns are conducted at the park to reduce the risk of wildland fire, and to restore native vegetation and historic landscapes. All areas of historic, cultural, and ecological importance are identified and protected throughout the planning and implementation of prescribed burns.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Prescribed burns planned for National Military Park
